Weekend Family Fun Guide North of Toronto for March Break Weekends - Hello March Break!

This entry will go right to the guts of the events and activities happening on March Break Weekends.

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March Break Family Getaway Packages

Best Activities for March Break 2014

This weekend's 'PLAY LIST'...
KIDS AND FAMILY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEKEND AHEAD BY AREA:
These events are within 1-3 hours north of Toronto and are reasonable when considering a day trip, or stay at any family friendly accommodation and extend the fun. These events would also be within proximity or close to many of Ontario's 'cottage country'.


~MAPLE FESTIVALS~

TAP INTO MAPLE TOUR
March 1 - May 31
Filled with a variety of different stops throughout the region, the Tap into Maple route will get your senses flowing and your mouth watering. Come and experience our maple history, taste our local maple cuisine, and create your own maple products.

BUCKHORN MAPLEFEST
March 15-16 - McLean Berry Farm
At Maplefest, there are a tons of fun activities for the entire family. Whether it's going for a wagon ride, eating pancakes with fresh maple syrup or seeing how the sweet stuff is made, there is something to do for everyone!

~BARRIE~

SNOW VALLEY RESORT
Celebrate winter with your family at Snow Valley. Choose from a great variety of outdoor recreation activities. There is truly something for every member of the family. Fun for all ages activities include skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing and they also offer lessons, as well as racing and school programs.


* Saturday March 15 * Tropical Ski Day

HORSESHOE RESORT
Rediscover winter fun in Ontario this season at Horseshoe Resort. With 26 runs, a terrain park and 35 km of groomed Nordic ski trails, Horseshoe has your ski and snowboard needs covered! A variety of activities await you this Winter season at Horseshoe Resort's Adventure Park such as snow tubing and fat biking!

* March 15 * Moonlight Ski 

Join Horseshoe Resort for a fun and unique moonlight Nordic ski experience on March 15th, as we guide guests through the beautiful Copeland Trails. Additional details: snowshoeing & fat biking are also available for this experience. Skiers will have the option of starting from the Adventure Park and skiing through the west tunnel to the trails, or starting from the old chalet.

HARDWOOD SKI AND BIKE
Hardwood is a full service nordic ski centre providing trails for all levels of  skiers or snowshoers. They are open seven days a week and offer rentals, retail nordic ski, lessons, cafe and children's programs.

Browse BARRIE HOTELS

~THE BLUE MOUNTAINS | COLLINGWOOD~

SCENIC CAVES NORDIC CENTRE
Winter activities include groomed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and traversing 420 feet over Southern Ontario’s longest suspension bridge. See natural Ontario forrest as a beautiful winter wonderland!

* March 7-16 * Get the whole family outdoors at special discount rates for trail passes and equipment. FREE trail passes for youth under 6 years of age! Kids can enjoy a Scavenger Hunt and win prizes. Children’s Firepit Lunch Special: Roast spider dogs and s’mores for $2.

* SATURDAY * March 15 Guided Night Showshoe

SKIING & ATTRACTION PARK BLUE MOUNTAIN RESORT
Click here for the latest snow conditions. Be a part of our biggest winter ever with new terrain in the Orchard – six new trails to be exact – and a brand new high-speed chairlift. The increased terrain brings the total skiable acres to 364 with a grand total of 42 trails – the most at any resort in Ontario.

* Check out the Kids at Blue Programs including the Burton Riglet Park! *

* Vintage March Break at Blue Package *

March break is the time of year for family fun and Blue Mountain has the perfect getaway for on and off-hill adventure!  Celebrate Vintage Blue and receive a discounted March Break lift ticket and enjoy an entire week of FREE activities and events.

Package Includes:
·  Nightly accommodation
·  One discounted day/night lift ticket per person, per night stayed
·  FREE family events and activities
*some conditions apply.

BLUE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE - ACTIVITY CENTRAL
Activity Central is your source for the region’s and the resort’s best year-round activities!  Pure adrenaline or simple serenity, we have activities to suit every interest and budget! Currently selling Scandinave Spa packages, Wine tasting, Caving tours and gearing up for winter with Snowmobile tours, snowshoeing and the list goes on.

March Break at Blue 
March 8-16
Can you keep up to our 9-day action packaged March Break schedule? A week designed to keep kids active & happy! Don’t miss the FREE Outdoor Concert with one of Canada’s top performers FEFE DOBSON with opening act by ELEVEN PAST ONE. On stage on Friday, March 14th at 4pm. With three other live concerts, a magic show, 5 firework displays, afternoon and nightly movies the fun never stops! Discounted mid-week lift tickets and one of the best winter seasons in years on the slopes of Blue Mountain. See you at Blue this March break!

~GRAVENHURST~

MAPLE SUGAR BUSH FUN
Join Resident Naturalist Robin Tapley and friends for the amazing how-to behind discovering and making this clearly Canadian treat.

FROM SAP TO SYRUP
March 7-15  daily between 1-3 pm,.  self-guided with expert interpreters

SWEET DEAL
$5 per person or $15 for family of up to 5
bring your skates for our pond or borrow complimentary cross-country skis & snowshoes for our 8 kms of trails**  plates of pancakes with Muskoka maple syrup also available, naturally!
*pricing exclusive of HST. **Mother Nature’s conditions permitting.

~HALIBURTON~

SIR SAM'S SKI & BIKE

Sir Sam’s hosts twelve main runs and a view from the top that is only matched by the view of the slopes from the chalets panoramic windows and outdoor sun deck. Come and enjoy a great outdoor experience in an un-crowded and family friendly atmosphere.Sir Sam's Super Savings Sunday : Ski/Board every Sunday afternoon from 1:30-4:30 for only $25.00! (Rentals only $15.00). Excellent opportunity to try out the sport . Breakfast served from 9:00-2:00.

* MARCH BREAK *
Saturday, March 8 - Sunday, March 16
Fun daily family events including deck bbq's everyday.
Maple-taffy-on-snow (Mon. the 10th & Thurs. the 13th), ice cream (Tues. the 11th & Fri. the 14th)
Musician Carl Dixon LIVE on Wed. March 12th., family snowman building competition (weather dependent), Algonquin Outfitters ski/board demo & free candy floss & popcorn (Wed. the 12th).
Open Mike with Don Chapman on Fri. March 14th. "BIG AIR" competition Saturday March 15 :1:30 - 3:00.

Browse Haliburton Attractions & Accommodations

~MIDLAND | PENETANGUISHENE~

DOWNTOWN SHOPS AND DOCKS
Check out the shops and docks in beautiful Midland! Walk about and strolling fun for kids and check out one of the largest outdoor mural collections in North America.

HURONIA MUSEUM
Huronia Museum is a fun place for taking the kids and is located in Little Lake Park, directly across from the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre and behind Campbell's Tobaggan hill. Fun exhibits for the whole families and be sure to check their website for specials events and activities.

* FRIDAY March 7 * PA Day Camp
 
MIDLAND CULTURAL CENTRE
Drop in to see what's going on or visit our website for the latest programs. Cafe Roxy is open for hot chocolate, coffee and refreshments, light meals and snacks, wine and beer. Open Mic at the Cafe on Saturday at 2pm.

Free movies during the week and other fun events all week long! 

* SATURDAY March 15 * Family Fun Extravaganza

Featuring Big & Small from Treehouse TV and their friends Markus, Douglas John and Oucho the Monkey” a co-presentation with MindsAlive. Door open at 10:00am and the show begins at 10:30am.Tickets are $10/each and children under one are free.

WYE MARSH
Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre. Situated on approximately 3,000 acres of natural property in the beautiful Wye Valley (Georgian Bay), it is that perfect place for a family or group outing. With over 25 km of snowshoeing/skiing trails, an observation tower and boardwalks, visitors can get closer to nature.

* SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS *  Live Animal and Reptile Shows

SUGAR RIDGE RETREAT CENTRE
Check out their week day camps and Saturday March 15 is a delicious pancake breakfast!

HURONIA FOOD TRAIL
You will find a list of the farmers, producers, restaurants, retailers and accommodations that have identified themselves as advocates of local taste and local products, within the towns of Midland and Penetanguishene & Townships of Tay and Tiny, Ontario through the Huronia Food Trail.
 
Stay in MIDLAND HOTELS
MORE Midland Tourism Region
 

~ ORILLIA | SPRINGWATER ~

TAP INTO MAPLE TOUR
Starting on March 1st and running through to May 31st, the Tap into Maple route was created to support and showcase our local maple syrup, maple products and events. Filled with a variety of different stops throughout the region, the Tap into Maple route will get your senses flowing and your mouth watering. Come and experience our maple history, taste our local maple cuisine, and create your own maple products. You can even stay awhile, our local accommodators have some sweet maple packages available for you! Bring your family or getaway as a couple, Ontario’s Lake Country has something for everyone.

Stay in ORILLIA ACCOMMODATIONS

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Best March Break Activities and Events North of Toronto

Oh why yes, yes it IS March Break very soon! This is the perfect time to plan a few fun day trips or a family getaway north of Toronto!

What kind of spring breaks activities and events can kids do? A visit to areas north of Toronto like Barrie, Georgian Bay, Muskoka, Northern Ontario and the Kawarthas (and more!) bring your kids a chance to connect with nature and get moving outdoors after a long winter. Many activities are new and things you've maybe not tried before or you can find the same old classic familiar winter fun.

We know it's been a long winter with an abundance of snow. Right now we all have tulips and gardens on our minds but in all reality we still have several weeks left to embrace all this fun white stuff. Take inspiration from the Olympics and Ontario Winter Games and take your kids outdoors and get them moving and grooving under blue skies and sunshine.

1. Snowshoeing

This can be an exhilarating activity depending on the pace. A slower pace is recommended for families with younger children. A variety of light-weight snow shoes make the snowshoeing a lot easier today. Many snow destinations have snowshoe rentals or in some cases include snowshoes are included in snowshoe getaway packages. *411-tip: this activity is getting very popular. Tons of family fun exploring and well, it tires everyone out real good!

2. Skiing and Snowboarding

Downhill Skiing, Snowboarding or Cross Country Skiing either at the best resorts in Ontario are one way to fully enjoy March Break. The physical benefits are perfect to get your child moving after a long winter. Check Ski, Snow, and Snowboard reports. *411-tip: Enroll the children in lessons if going downhill skiing or snowboarding. Depending on you're child's age there are trained professionals who can take some of this frustration out your visit so you can have more fun! If your kids are the right age, it also means an hour or two for adults who would like to see more than the Bunny Hill! 

3. Snow Tubing

Get your own snow tube or indulge with a snowtubing getaway at a hill nearby or in resort destinations north of Toronto. Check out our Intro To Snowtubing blog and see what the fun is all about! *411-tip: Be prepared to laugh. Adults will feel like children again.

4. Outdoor Skating & Hockey

It's easy to find many ice-rinks throughout the province plus lakes for pond hockey. Many of our members also have outdoor rinks or have partnered with local recreation centres for passes. Grab a hockey stick and a game of shinny or broom ball at a rink north of Toronto at resorts or in the many towns and cities. If you're staying somewhere without a rink, check out the local recreation centre for public skatings times.
*411-tip: if you're playing hockey, it's not just about the players. Get the whole family involved, for those who don't want to play hockey, they can be referees, fans , commentators! Get into it with team colours, face paint for the fans or bring music if you can! Use your imagination and get creative.

5. Take a Hike!

There nothing more wondrous and beautiful than the Winter/Spring transition. Follow animal tracks, identify trees, enjoy the forest without foliage! *411-tip: bring a change of footwear for getting back in the car!

6. Dog Sledding

Experience a dog sledding adventure at a winter carnival or at one of the many resort destinations north with a dog sledding getaway.

7. Birdwatching

Nature viewing-bird watching-migration of waterfowl as birds look for open water. Kids love to feed the birds. Check out the Wye Marsh for it's Bird of Prey shows, huge trumpeter swan population and a chance for your kids to hand feed eager chickadeers!  *411tip: Do not forget your camera, the look on your child's face as a bird lands in their hand is magical! Be patient and you'll capture that shot!

8. Ice Fishing

Enjoy an ice fishing getaway. Or plan an ice fishing adventure with local ice fishing setups and always be safe.
*411-tip: Bring extra activities for the kids to keep them interested and busy when the fish don't bite right away. See our tips for fishing with kids!

9. Winter Bonfire

Enjoying an outdoor bonfire--kids love to roast marshmallows and sip hot chocolate after an outdoor winter activity or adventure. Many of our featured family winter getaways offer this activity, if it's not posted, just ask! *411-tip: if permitted, you can even do this one at home!

10. Maple Syrup festivals

Early Spring or late winter in March towards the end of the winter season and offer up a great family experience with sleigh rides, maple syrup tasting, snow maple fudge where hot syrup is poured on fresh snow--a truly Canadian event. Get out and enjoy one of the many Maple Syrup Festivals north of Toronto. Many resort destinations will be producing Maple Sap during the Spring March Break Getaway season.

Featured March Maple Festivals

Tap into Maple Tour - Ontario`s Lake Country

Buckhorn Maplefest - Buckhorn McLean Berry Farm

Sweetwater Harvest Festival - Midland

11. Day Camps & Events

If parents are working this might be a great option for your children. They have fun while learning and meeting new friends and often are outdoors. Some day camps can be more active and athletic. Our events calendar for March Break is bursting with 'game day' decision events, activities or book ahead day camps. If you're away on a getaway, consider a day camps activity for your child. Many local libraries aslo have free events for families.

Winter Activities are a great way to have fun waiting for spring. Accommodations, attractions and all kinds of fun March Break fun stuff is waiting for you and your family north of Toronto!

Have a great March Break!

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